How hard is it to change a pony from a hackamore to a bridle with a bit?

ilih2006: How hard is it to change a pony from a hackamore to a bridle with a bit?
I am getting a new pony, i have only seen pics of her but I have good feeling about the sell. The only thing is that it looks like she’s wearing a hackamore in her pics of being ridden. If I get her and she only wears a hackamore, and shes 16 yrs old how hard will it be to get her to take a bit? Would it be difficult? I don’t know anything about this…please help.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Zippo Pine bar
why do you need a bit first of all? if shes been using a hack, why change? shes already 16, and shes been using one probably all her life.

If shes broke, it wont matter. The only horse i wont buy is one that i can’t change tack on. i use different bits all the time.

Answer by barelhos71
The hack works different points on the face – rather then the lips or tongue – so it can be somewhat confusing for the horse to switch – assuming the pony has never had a bit in…. you’ll be dealing with a green horse again.

Here is why: when you pull on a hack to turn, you are ‘pulling the nose” with a bit you are pulling his lips… these are different areas and both areas need to be trained to gain the correct response.

My advice is to keep him in a hack! The hack is much more severe then a bit (well depending on the bit) – but if you keep your hands soft and dont get to yankin on her – you’ll be fine! and she’ll be comfortable and happy too – especially in a new home – no need to change everythign up on her!

Answer by Dielle
Well it depends on whether she has ever taken a bit before chances are she has been ridden at some point in a bit. Not too many people are willing to let kids ride a good pony in a hackamore because damage can be done if they have never used one before. I would ask the sellers if they know whether or not she has ever been used in a bit so that you know what you are getting yourself into. She is used to having a headstall on already so it shouldn’t be too hard for you to teach her how to use the bit. Getting her to take the bit will probably be a little harder so if I was you I would coat it in molasses or maple syrup so that its a treat when she takes it. I would suggest doing some flexion exercises from the ground before you ride her with the bit just so she gets the idea of what you want and knows how to act when you are pulling on the reins. If you have anyone at your barn that could help you the first time that would be a good idea. I would also suggest that you start off in the round pen.

Answer by chevygirl
i would ask her owners that you are getting her from they might know it never hurts to ask, i remember my first pony his name was silver he was a little stubburn but loved him i rode him all of the time i led him into to my dads friends house once when i was home alone

Answer by galloppal
i wouldn’t buy a horse I haven’t ridden, had vet checked, and knew everything about.

Answer by stevescorner
I think it boils down to what the horse is being used for, her temperament, last but not least the old saying…results are directly proportional to the time you spend with her….Truth be known, I owned a horse that never used any thing else and I used him for all kinds of stuff. We rode in the mountains,I worked cattle with him, and my neighbors daughter used to take him to competitions for roping and penning. He never knew what a snaffle bit was. Honest! The secret was the fact that we had a very, very good set of communication skills. Not just me,but the horse too! Good luck much patience!

Answer by Mariah V
well. the thing is if u want to do pony club or showing u will HAVE to change to a bridle and bit.
i would suggest maybe getting your trainer to help but it is very hard even at a young age.

Answer by dreaming_luke
To begin with it would be a really good idea to get a vet check examination and have someone check out this mare for you. Buying a horse only seeing pics is asking for all sorts of problems that you may not want.

As for the bit, I had purchased a mare. who I was not told by the seller, used a hackamore. I tried using a snaffle with her and she chewed and constantly was moving her jaw around and looked really uncomfortable. Finally I called the seller and asked what bit she had been using, and that was when she told me she hadn’t ever been ridden with a bit. She was 17, and even though we tried to introduce her to some, it never really worked. She had been ridden too long without one, and wasn’t all that willing to change.

Have you asked the seller if she has been ridden with bits at all? She may possibly have used them. I ride my guy with a hackamore sometimes. I would check this mare out a little more health wise, temperment, abilities as well as the bit. Good luck!